Dry ore-concentrator.



W. E. WINNIE & J. E. SEELEY.

DRVY OBB GONGBNTRA'TOB. n A-PPLIoATIoN Hmm 00T. 3o, 1911. BENBWED JUNI: a, 1913.

1,083,11 72. l Patented Dec. 30, 1913. v. a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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0 'mk W W. E. WINNIE & J. E. SEBLBY.

DRY ORE GONCENTRATOR. APPLIoATIoH FILED o'omso, 1911. RBNBWBD JUNI: s, 1913.

1,083,172. Patented Dec, 30, 1913.

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W. E. WINNIE & J. E. SEELEY.

DRY ORB GONGENTRATOR. APPLICATION FILED 00T. ao, 1911. RIINBwED JU'NI: s, 1913.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

W. E. WINNIE d: J. E. SAEELEY.

DRY OBE CONCBNTRATOR. APPLICATION IILED 00T. 30, 1911. RENEWED JUNE 3, 1913.

V Patented DeC.3o,1913.

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Winn e j# @rl/7. @edgy l cal'conditon ot the particles,

Y UMTED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

WILLIAM E. WINNIE AND JAIES'E. SEMIN, 0F LO'S ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

Speciicdiio off Letters Patent.'

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

Application med Qctober 50, 19H, Seria No. 657,561. Renewed Tune 3, 1913. Serial No. 771,531.

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known-that we, WILLIAM E. WINNIE vented. certain new and useful Improvements in Dry Ore-Concentrators,',ofwhich the following is a specification; l

Our invention pertains to mechanism for separating metal from crushed ore or rock, and it has specialreference to dry ore concentration, in which the metal bearmg rock is nely ground, and the valuable metal therein is separated from .the rock while in a dry state by a combination of mechanical and electrical means.

The metallic particles in a ground product have'a greater mass than the non-metalhc hence' when in movement, have a greater momentum than the nonmetallic particles. Advantage is taken of this physiarticles, in 'this invention. It is also wel known in the art to which this appertains, that a high tension high frequency electric current causes the coherence of metallic particles and one of the great dilliculties attending the concentration ofI metallic particles in a mass of finely divided or crushed metal bearing rock, is to so move and distribute the mass as to make concentration possible in a commercial way. We accomplish this by the combination of two agencies coperating with each other, each agency being in itself capable of producing the concentration more or less efficiently.

A crushed or ground mass of meta-l bearing rock is difficult to handle in any form of mechanismheretofore devised, for the reason that the cohesion between the particles is very great and the tendency is to move en masse along a table or receptacle on or in which it may be treated, and the rst essential isto secure absolute separation between the particles making up the mass, and this separation can be eli'ected by imparting a high rate of vibration to the table cr receptacle, and while the coheslon between the particles is thusneutrali'zed the electrical action becomes'ei'ective and eilicient.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a table or vibration body so constructed and arranged that the metallic portion, or the concentrates, will to a great extent be separated from the lighter or non-metallic particles. To accomplish this we provide a table with shallow longitudinal riiiles, which is so mounted that it is inclined longitudinally and'transversely,

the lower or discharge margin of the table having an open end, so-that the crushed rock and concentrates ma be freely discharged therefrom; and furt er, in so locating the supply funnel at'the lower side of the upper ,end of the table that the mass of the crushed rock and ore is compelled to travel up the incline and across the riilies while at the same time moving downwardly toward the discharge end of the table. The impulses which are imparted to the transversely vibrating table, are brought about, preferably, by an electromagn'et, located at'the lowest side of the table, and the elevated side of the table has a pair of adjustable springs, or other retractile means, to normally keep the armature, which is attached to the table normally separated from the electro-magnets, and in so arranging a pair of the springs that at each release of th-e magnetic impulse the springs, will draw`v the table forcibly against abutments` in order to effect the separation.

A further object is to provide the elementary components of a hlgh tension high frequency electric circuit which, by its action on the crushed mass, is such that the metallic particles are carriedover to one side and separated from th-e non-metallic portions.- In accomplishing this we make the concentrating table one of the electric terminals and also provide a terminal substantially the same size as the table, which constitutes a terminal plate, provided with discharge points, so that the crushed mass, in

its movement over the-table is under the linfluence of the discharge terminals in order toI bring about the complete concentration of the metallic particles, all of which will new beset forth in detail.

ln the accompanying drawing Figure l is a top or plan view. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the concentrator. Fig. 3' is a vertical cross section of the concentrator, on line 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a vertical 'cross section of the concentrator, on line 4 of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is an end view of the concentrating table and the frame supporting it, showing wardly-projecting post 13, and a short ina modified form of mounting the table. Fig. 6 is an end view of the concentratin -mechanism, with a diagrammatic view of t e high tension high frequency current connected up therewith. Fig. 7 is a perspectiveview of a portion of the plate. terminal 'employed above the concentrating table. Fig. 8 is a cross section of a dielectric rilied bed and one of the terminal plates.

In constructing our invention we provide a. base 10, preferably mounted on legs 11. On this base we mount a rectangular frame 12', one corner of the same being secured to what is hereinldesignated as the discharge end of the machine, by means of a ball and socket joint or hinge 14, .the corner so secured t'o the base being normally the lowest part of the frame, since the head or opposite end of the frame is adapted to be elevated, and permanently held by means of' adjustable set bolts. A set boltl l16, at the end of the frame is placed at the same side of the table as carrles the hinge 14, while the other set bolt 17 is located beneath the' frame at the opposite side. The rear side of the frame has at each corner a short uptermediate post 15. Each of the bolts 16, 17, has a head 18, which rests against the under side of thebfr'ame, and they are screw threaded so they pass through the base 10, and are each provided with a jam nut 19, on each side of the base, so they may thus set the bolts firmly at any position after adj usgsment.- In practice the frame 12 has a vertlcal motion only, as the hinge 14 and the set bolts 16, 17, prevent any-lateral or longitudinal-movement. We place a rectangular table 20 on this frame, which has `side bars 2l, 22, and a bar'23, at the head of the table. The receiving bed of the table, which is glass or other 'suitable dielectric material,

has longitudinal grooves or riiiles 24, extending from end .to end, these grooves being small or shallow, and beneath this dielectric bed is a metal plate 25, rovided the table itself is not made of meta The table may or may not be mounted on anti-friction means on lthe frame 12, but in either case the table should be provided with cleats 26, or other suitable means, to keep the table from moving longitudinallyl while permitting a limited lateral play. A

-Secured to the side bar 21, or the table nis an armature 27, and suitable electro-magnets 28 are secured by cap-screws 30,-to a post 29, extending up from the frame. On the opposite margin' of the table 20 is a lat spring 31 secured by cap-screws`32, midway between its ends, to the post 15, and through each end of the spring is a threaded stem v33, secured to the side b ar 22 of the table. A thumb nut 34, -on each stem 33, 4`is adapted to press against the spring and thus nor- 27 away from the an adjusting nut 37 is placed on each side of the post, so that the lvibration of the table will not cause -the screws to change their position.

From the foregoing description itwill be seen that the table has afslightvlateral vibration, the line of the vibration being at right angles to the grooves of the table,.and the supply hopper or funnel 38, is at the lowest point of the head of the table. It will further be observed that the highest point of the table is directly across from the funnel, so that the ground ore, after being discharged from the funnel to the vibrating table, is caused to travel diagonally across and down the table.

In action the electro-magnets at the lowest edge of the table draw over the table by magnetic means, against the pull of the retractile spring, and the abutments 36, beingllocated in such aposition that when' the ta e is'released -from its magnetic pull, the' return of the table is stopped by the abutments, `whereby the inertia of the ground ore carries it up and over the rililes to the highest side or margin of the table. This action of the mechanism :has the effect of causing a separation of the metallic and nonmetallic particles, because it is obvious that the heavier or metallic particles, having a greater mass, will Vbe impelled farther along in their course across the table,y than the, non-metallic particles, and therefore, the mei tallic particles will find their way to the highest margin of the table, and eventually be discharged as concentrates, while the particles will find their way to end of the table along the non-metallic the discharge lowest margin. l

Itis obvious that we may use an form of electrically-operated vibrating mec anism. for actuating the table, or any -suita'blemechanical structure, and that a plurality of magnets may be employed; and `further we may use electro-magnets on each side of the table thereby dispensing with the spring, but we find itessential to employ the abutments in either form of construction.

The ries should be made of glass, or other material which will assure a smooth surface to prevent lodgment of the ground particles, and' to assure a free movement of the mass, and the riilies should be shallow and evenly formed.

` In practice the hopper or funnel should be attached to the table by a bracket 39, of otherwise, as thereby the ground ore will be constantly freed from thefunnel and thus assure a positive and steady flow.

We prefer to mount thetable on-the @frame in themauner shownin fFig'. '5,'in which case the frame 40, 'which canriesstheftable, has a pairof longitudinal bars 41,', on the outer side of --each of which iS-a vertical metallic strip 42, thelower edge of each strip being secured to the -bar 41 4yserew 43, or otherwise, ai1d the upper edge of -.eachgstii p is ,secured by screws 44 to the ledge -of ,the c011- centrating table 4 5, ,so @that .these metallic strips senvenot only assupports to'hold the table, but also -act as sprlngs to permit the table tQ -nibrate laterally a ,limited ldistance, and thus dispense with righe-spring 3 1 shown in Fig. l.

It will, wherefore, A-lie understood that ,the mechanism thus far described :provides-'for a mechanical separation orf metallic iparticles, -since-moreor less Lofthe'metallic epantii cles lwill rfind their way ,to the highest fmar.-

gin of lthe table and he discharged at fthe Alower .end of thetable-apart :from the -nonmetallic particles. To produce .a complete concentration however, .we rprovide ga plate 46, substantially the same siz las the milled bed 24 of the table, this plate being located directly above the riliied lbedand secured to' the side bars ofthe table to vibrate tl 1er e-vv with, or it may be1stationary, and not Nibra plurality of' metallic projecting pinse47, which approach close-tothe dielectric riilled bed 24. Oneterminal 48, of a high tension: high frequency elect-ric circuit is secured -to this vplate 46, While -the-metallicplate 25, below the ritlied bed is connected by wire 49 with the otherlterminal o-the circuit.

The high frequency high tension apparatus may be constructed in any suitable man ner best adapted for the purpose, but in this, case We show it as comprising the step up transformerO, the circuit Wire 51, from one side ofthe high tension coil which is connected with one terminal of the resonator 52, and the other circuit Wire 53 which extends to a spark gap 54, thence toone terminal of the resonator 52. This high tension circuit receives its current supply ffrom a main line 55, that also connects with the magnets 28 for vibrating the table.

As hereinbefore stated the magnets'28 impart a vibration to the table at a high rate,

the eiiect of which is lto cause the ground metal bearing rock to move across the table, and up the incline, While at the same time the downward inclination of the table causes. the particles to move toward the discharge end, the' vibration thus having the effect also of spreading the particles over the table. Under the circumstances as the table is thus one of the terminals of the high `tension circuit the action of the discharge is to precipitate the heavier particles throughout the mass, whereby they are forced, so to say, into more immediate contact with the body of charged ,at-,tlie lower endo'f the table Without :having traveled entirely across.

What "we claim as new, is

In Amechanism of the character described, the combination of a high tension, highzfrequency electric apparatus, a fixed :terminal and a Vibratory terminal in close proximity to the fixed terminal, said vibraitory terminal having ritiies to receive -and discharge comminuted particles, and means for imparting differential travel to the components of the material being-separated.

2. In mechanism of the character delscrihed,1the combination of a high tension,

high' frequency electric apparatus, a fixed anda vibratoryrterminal in close proximity itoeaQhsother, the vibrating terminal being y9Iiip'oSe d fof dielectric material and having .riiiles'vtherom and. means for imparting differential travel'to the :components of the .material being separated.

v3. Inl mechanism of the character described, the combination of high tension,

high. frequency electric apparatus, a terminal of dielectric material'with riles thereon, andadapted' to receive and discharge comminuted particles, Ameans for imparting di'erential travel to the components of the vmaterial beingseparated on said terminal," and -a fixed terminal in close proximity there-to.-

4. Inv mechanism ,of the character de-4 scribed, high tension', high frequency electric apparat-us, in 4combination with a dielectric body having an inclined surface with rifiles thereon adapted to receive, and discharge commnuted particles comprising one of the terminals, means for imparting differential travel to ,the components of the material beingv separated on said terminal, and a ixed terminal in close proximity thereto.

In mechanism vof the 'character described, a high tension, vhigh frequency electric apparatus one ofthe terminals being a? talble with longitudinal riiiles thereon, in combination withvmeans at the sides of the table for vibrating said table at right angles to said riiiies and imparting a diiierential travel to the components of the material being separated, an 4ore supply pipe at oneiffx. i'

being diagonally across the opposite end of the table from the ore supply pipe, and the other terminal being fixed in close proximity to the vibrating table.

In mechanism of the character described, a high tension, high frequency electric apparatus, in combination with a terminal comprising a table with longitudinal ritHes thereon, inclined or sloping both lon` gitudinally and laterally, and means for vibrating said table laterally.

7. In mechanism of the character described, a high tension high frequency electric apparatus, in combination with terminals, one of said terminals comprising a table with longitudinal riflies, thereon, and inclined longitudinally and transversely, an ore supply pipe at the lowest side `of the table and at its highest end, means for vibrating said table, and a fixed terminal in close proximity to the .vibrating terminal.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a high tension high frequency electric apparatus, a dielectric termina-l connected therewith comprising a riffled body, adapted to receive and discharge comminuted particles, means for imparting a rapid vibration thereto, a stop for arresting the movement ofsaid body m one direction, and a fixed terminal in close proximity to the vibrating terminal.

9. In mechanism of the character described, the elementary components of a high tension high frequency electric apparatus, one of thek terminals comprising a riiiled body, means for supplying and discharging comminuted particles, means for imparting a rapid vibration thereto, a stop for arresting the lateral movement of the bodyin a direction at right angles to the riflies on the body, and a ixed metallic terminal in close proximity to the vibrating body.

10. In mechanism of the character described, in combination, a high tension, high frequency electric apparatus, a terminal comprising a body with a sloping surface, means to supply and discharge comminuted particles, means for imparting a rapid vibration laterally to said body, a stop for arresting the movementof said body in one direction, and a iixed terminal above and in close proximity to the vibratory body.

11. In mechanism of the character -described, in combination, the elementary components of a high tension, high frequency electric apparatus, one of the terminals comprising a table having .an inclined surface with longitudinalriflles thereon, adapted to receive and discharge comminuted particles, said table having at its lowest side margins means for laterally vibrating the same, means at the highest margins of the table for arresting the movement of the table in one direction, the vibration of the table being transversely to the ritlies, and the other terminal being above the table and having a plurality of discharge points in close proximity to the vibratory table.

12. In mechanism of the character described, in combination, the elementary components of a high tension, highl frequency electric apparat-us, one of the terminals comprising atable having thereon longitudinal rilies, an upwardly-projecting flange at all margins except at the discharge end, means for transversely vibrating said table and imparting differential travel to the components ofthe material being separated, a feed hopper at the head of the table at one of its side margins, and the other terminal being fixed above the vibratory terminal and in close proximity thereto. l

13. In mechanism of the kcharacter described, in combination, the elementary components of a high tension, high .frequency electric apparatus, one of the terminals comprising a dielectric table, havingthereon longitudinal ritles, an upwardly projectlng iiange at all margins except at the discharge.

end, said table being inclined longitudinally and transversely, a feed hopper at the lowest side margin at the head of the table, means i for laterally vibrating said table, and the other terminal being fixed above and in close proximity to the vibratory terminal.

14. A. high tension high frequency elec# tric apparatus, in combination with a dielectric body or receptacle, adapted to receive and discharge comminuted particles, and having longitudinal riftles thereon, comprising onelof the discharge termlnals, means -for imparting a rapid vibration thereto and impartmg differential travel to the components of the material being separated, and a fixed terminal having a plurality of discharge points in close proximity to the v1- brating terminal.

15. A high tension, high frequency electric apparatus, in combination wltha d1- electric terminal, inclined longitudinally and transversely, provided with longitudinal rifies thereon and adapted to receive and discharge comminuted particles, means for vibrating said terminal, a terminal having a plurality of discharge points in close prox-l imity to the aforesaid vibrating terminal and a hopper for supplying comminuted particles to said table at the lowest side margin thereof, said vibratory means bemg provided with a.stop at the high margin of the table whereby the comminuted particles will be forced transversely across the riiles to the high margin of the table.

16. A high tension, high frequency electric apparatus in combination with a dielectric body having an inclined surface adapted to receive and discharge comminuted particles longitudinal ritles on said table, means for impartin a lateral vibration to the table at right ang es to the riHes and means for imparting differential travel to the compogeles,l State of California, this 27th day of nents of the material being separated, and a September, 1911, in the presence of Wit- 10 fixed terminalhaving a plurality of disne'sses.

charge points in close proximity to the Vi- WILLIAM E. WINNIE.

5 bratory table, and means for adjusting the JAM'ES E. SEELEY.

longitudinal and lateral inclinations of the Witnesses: table. J. S. ZERBE,v

Signed at the city and county of Los An- I. R. RUBIN. 

